Cincinnati Bengals’ All-Time Receiving Yardage Leaders

Chad Johnson

Isaac Curtis

Carl Pickens

The Bengals are one of those franchises that seems to have a losing stigma attached to them—not as bad as the Lions, but still not great. They began play in 1968 as an AFL team and then joined the NFL after the merger in 1970, and have made the Super Bowl exactly twice, losing both times. Still, this is a team that has generally had a great passing game—with guys like Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason and now Carson Palmer quarterbacking the Bengals. And those guys have also had great receivers to throw to, including this list of the Top 10 in receiving yards all-time for the franchise:

Chad Johnson (8905)—Chad Johnson, a.k.a. “Ocho Cinco,” has been with the Bengals his entire career, from 2001 until now, and has always been an entertaining player to watch with this unique touchdown celebrations. And the guy just always seems to catch the ball in key situations to help his team. He hasn’t been a top-tier receiver the last few years, but the team around him hasn’t helped matters talent-wise. Johnson leads the Bengals all-time with 8905 receiving yards and made the Pro Bowl five times, including first team All Pro twice. His best season so far was 2005; with a career high 97 catches for 1432 yards and 9 touchdowns. Johnson also carried the ball 5 times for 33 yards that season.

Isaac Curtis (7101)—Isaac Curtis played his entire career in a Bengals’ uniform, from 1973 to 1984, and ranks second in team history with 7101 receiving yards. Curtis made the Pro Bowl his first four seasons, and then not again after that. His best season was 1975, with 44 catches for a career high 934 yards and 7 touchdown receptions. Curtis also led the NFL that season with a 21.2 yards-per-catch average.

Carl Pickens (6887)—Carl Pickens played most of his career in Cincinnati, from 1992 to 1999, and ranks third in franchise history with 6887 receiving yards. He made the Pro Bowl twice, in 1995 and 1996, and Pickens’ best season was 1995, when he caught 99 passes for career highs in yards (1234) and touchdowns (17). The 17 TDs that year led the NFL.

Cris Collinsworth (6698)—Cris Collinsworth was part of the two Super Bowl teams in Cincinnati, though many of you may know him as one of the more ubiquitous NFL announcers these days. Collinsworth played in Cincinnati his whole career, from 1981 to 1988, and ranks fourth in Bengals’ history with 6698 receiving yards, and he made the Pro Bowl his first three seasons. Collinsworth’s best season was 1983, when he caught 66 passes for a career high 1130 yards and 5 TDs.

Eddie Brown (6134)—Eddie Brown played his entire career, from 1985 to 1991, and ranks fifth in team history with 6134 receiving yards. Brown had his best season in 1988, when he made the Pro Bowl by catching 53 passes for career highs in receiving yards (1273) and touchdown receptions (9).

Darnay Scott (5975)—Darnay Scott played most of his career for the Bengals, from 1994 to 2001, and ranks sixth in franchise history with 5975 receiving yards. Scott’s best season was 1999, when he had career high numbers in receptions (68), receiving yards (1022) and TD catches (7).

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (5782)—T.J. Houshmandzadeh has played alongside Chad Johnson in Cincinnati his entire career (2001 to present), and has mostly been overshadowed by the flashier Ocho Cinco. But T.J. is a great football player who just signed in 2009 with Seattle. Houshmandzadeh ranks seventh in Bengals’ history with 5782 receiving yards, and his best season was 2007, when he caught a career high and NFL-leading 112 passes for 1143 yards and 12 touchdowns (both also career best numbers).

Tony McGee (4703)—Tony McGee played most of his career for the Bengals, from 1993 to 2001, and ranks eighth in team history with 4703 receiving yards. McGee had his best season in 1995, with career highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (754) with 4 TD catches.

Bob Trumpy (4600)—Like Collinsworth, many of you may only think of tight end Bob Trumpy as an excellent NFL announcer. But Trumpy played his entire career in Cincinnati (1968 to 1977) and made the Pro Bowl four times, once as a first team All Pro in 1969. That was also Trumpy’s best season, when he caught 37 passes for career highs in yards (837) and touchdowns (9); and overall he ranks ninth in Bengals’ history with 4600 receiving yards.

Rodney Holman (4329)—Tight end Rodney Holman played for the Bengals most of his career (1982 to 1992) and ranks tenth in franchise history with 4329 receiving yards. Holman made the Pro Bowl three straight seasons from 1989 to 1991 and 1989 was his best season. That year, Holman had career highs in receptions (50), receiving yards (736) and TD catches (9).